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Sunday, June 12, 2011

Larry Riley, the general manager of the Golden State Warriors wants to acquire either Josh Smith from Atlanta, Andrei Iguodala from Philadelphia, or Nicolas Batum from Portland. They are willing to trade even their ace player Monta Ellis. They really want to strengthen their front court because according to them, Ellis is not as big and as aggressive as those players above. Specifically, they want Adrei Iguodola, but if other doors will open for them, they will grab the opportunity. The news has circulated all over the internet. The Sixers' management said that Ellis and Iguodala have the same salary cap amounting to 11 million dollars. If ever the Sixers will trade for Ellis, they will trade Iguodala for him. The Sixers believe that Ellis has the talent to be the next Allen Iverson of Philadelphia. Furthermore, this trade might happen because it's a win-win situation for both of these teams, Philadelphia and Golden State.

Golden State will do anything just to make their front court stronger and taller. They are ready to trade Monta Ellis for Andrei Iguodala. And to give you a clearer picture regarding this trade, here's an excerpt from the article which I found in Insidehoops.com.

"With the draft less than two weeks away, it all seems to be creating the perfect opportunity to trade Ellis. The Warriors are on the hunt to add a difference maker via a trade. Multiple sources confirm they have talked to Memphis about Rudy Gay, Philadelphia about Andre Iguodala, Chicago about Luol Deng and Denver about Nene.

The Warriors are not actively shopping Ellis, another source said, but when the news came out that talks with the 76ers had resurfaced, it gave the Warriors a gauge of his value. Since then, multiple teams have inquired about Ellis, despite his having three years left on his contract at $11 million per year.

Warriors officials said they are not shopping Ellis and a trade is a "long way off," but a CBS report had sources saying an Ellis-for-Andre Iguodala deal with Philadelphia is a 50-50 venture. The Golden State-Philadelphia trade has been rumored for the better part of two years, and ESPN reported that talks were renewed Monday.

Atlanta, Chicago, Memphis, Orlando, Portland and the Lakers also have shown interest in Ellis, league sources told The Chronicle. Warriors general manager Larry Riley has said only, "We are doing business as usual and will explore possibilities relating to getting the team better." Per team policy, he won't comment on specific trades.

A deal that would net Iguodala from Philadelphia, Josh Smith from Atlanta, Rudy Gay from Memphis or Wesley Matthews or Nicolas Batum from Portland would make sense with the Warriors' new line of thinking. The question is whether they can get any of those players for Ellis, who is owed $11 million each of the next three seasons.

The Warriors seem increasingly convinced that they can't become a consistent playoff contender with two offensive-minded guards who are 6-foot-3 and spindly.

The shape of an Ellis deal is happening–at least the consideration part, and if Lacob, Larry Riley, Bob Myers and Jerry West find the right deal, then it will happen for real, with draft night looking like the moment. The important part, as the rumors fly (because the Warriors ARE talking with teams about potential Ellis deals), is figuring out what the Warriors cn get for Ellis, what they should get, and who else out there is involved in this intense by-play. It’s definitely time to sketch through some names and scenarios and remember that trades can happen right now, as long as they work within the current salary-cap system.

Ellis salary: $11M for each of the next three seasons $33M total. I’ve heard from several execs that, even though that’s a lot of money left, the flat-rate makes Ellis’ remaining contract more palatable than if it was ascending salaries. Teams are interested in Ellis, maybe more so than the Warriors expected a few weeks ago, when they first started talking deal (parallel to when West came aboard, not shockingly).

Philadelphia: ESPN reported it a couple days ago, and it certainly could turn out that Ellis is moved for SF/SG Andre Iguodala. Their salaries match and Iguodala (three years left, guaranteed $44.14M over the next three years) precisely fits what the Warriors could use–a lock-down, hard-nosed perimeter defender who also can move the ball on offense."